With all this going down, is it wrong of me to say that now is a good time to look at buying up any stock they have left on the cheap lol I avoided Kobalt after a I read about issues with delievering systems. I tweeted a guy last night who said he was having problems with delivery and though I thought he got his laptop it turns out he didnt. Sucks guys I hope everything gets sorted soon. One reason I went with a localish company to me to get my system was if I ever needed to take it back I could and if any issues arose regarding parts etc I could camp on thier doorstep!!
The sad fact is that orders built to customer orders will likely be processed buy the Liquidator and sold on to another party so they can settle any outstanding debts the company holds. It's quite painful to think these poor people could have a ready built laptop sitting at Kobalt Computers that they paid for yet will never see. The law is terrible when it comes to liquidation and consumers.
:/ thinking about it, it's not uncommon for companies to cimply go under at anytime. Though I checked a lot of consumer reports before buying a built system. I went with Eclipse as my cousin rated them. He's only ever bought components mind you. But when I went into the store instead of ordering online and specified what I wanted they where happy to help. He found all the components that where in stock and set them aside. Tried to sell me things I didnt need or had the budget for. Like a 60gb SSD, I'm like 60gb ummm a little small mate. In anycase i hope the op and others get thier money back!!
third party payment sites I am afraid that for those people being advised to use chargeback or Section 75 you are probably out of luck. When you buy from Kobalt using a credit or debit card it goes through a third party like Paypoint and so you lose all your rights.......... Kobalt owe me money too and I have just looked into it. Paypoint/WorldPay and all those third party sites deny any responsibility when things go wrong.......... they are vile people. Meanwhile, I suspect it is PP or someone like them that have caused Kobalt's problems that is what the words "merchant provider" mean.... not outsourcing builds. This is the reason why refunds from Kobalt took so long - not because of Kobalt but because of thrid party payment sites . These third party providers are really dodgy and I will never use one again. So now I have Kobalt owing me money and a laptop without a guarantee. I think there needs to be a special sticky for this so everyone can get together or a blog or something..... Sorry for the folks who have lost all their money - I don't think Kobalt were dodgy I think they grew too fast and probably got done over by the slowness of cashflow. Moral of story NEVER pay via Paypal Paypoint WorldPay or it seems even via Amazon to a another company. According to my research you have no rights as a consumer at all........ I think people should keep in touch and let us know what happens when they go to their banks. I'll try mine tomorrow but having read up I am not holding my breath. Good luck all....
Dam Blogins, Super moderator/lawyer/consumer rights activist? You really know your stuff ^^ Sucks that they were Liquidized, seems rather convenient though ;D
Hmm I will think about it lol Just checked current Windows/Program files size check, currently at 52 gigs including both 32/64bit Program Files folders!
kobalt refunds over on Notebook review we have a thread of Kobalt people in the resellers forum. I'd like to hear from people who have managed to get charge backs or section 75 refunds how they originally paid Kobalt. As far as I know Kobalt only took payment via bank transfer or third party payment sites. What is your experience? How did you pay? Have you tried to get money back via your bank? If you were successful did you originally pay Kobalt via a third party site? Money SavingExpert says section 75 is not valid for third party sites. Others say it is variable....
Ah, this sucks. I was looking forward to ordering a laptop from Kobalt at the end of the month. Hope you get your money back. Is there any other Clevo/Sager resellers in the UK that are decently priced besides PC Specialist, they don't seem to have much choice on there. I looked at Eurocom, which works out cheaper, but they ship from Canda as far as i know, so shipping costs go through the roof.
PC Specialist have the same Clevo laptops as Kobalt had and they are a long running reliable company that doesn't advertise things they do not have in stock.... And you can phone them!! I wish I had got my G150 from them......
I'm not sure where we all stand... but I agree that forming some sort of unit with one voice might help bring this to a better resolution. I'd be happy to post my e-mail if the moderators would allow...?? Or feel free to send me a PM here if that works.
This is bad news. I was curious why there were no details of credit/debit cards accepted on the Kobalt Computers website! I would still recommend people follow through with Chargeback or Section 75 however. Even if it's not successful at least a dispute against the transaction has been made. Absolutely. The problem is they tend to merge with the retailers site and it's not made clear that it's a third party payment system much like PayPal or Google Checkout. I noticed many new users are surfacing because of this with delayed posts under this thread. I'll try to keep a track of them when they appear but yes please update with your most recent experiences and see the PC Technology Buyers Guide: Consumer Rights thread in my signature for basic advice, letter templates and links to other relevant sources of information.
That absolutely doesn't matter. You paid for a product, you didn't got it. It is a bad luck for "Paypoint", but not for the one who used the credit card. If the other side will dispute the chargeback, all you need to do is to bring the order confirmation + information that the other side got bankrupt and didn't deliver. You don't care if it goes through 1000 hops, it is bad luck for those guys in middle but you can chargeback. http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index...inst_a_credit_lender_for_a_problem_with_goods If you have VISA credit card, then you are pretty much covered in this case. Don't know about Maestro and others. Edit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governm.../Howtocomplainaboutgoodsandservices/DG_196229 I am surprised you guys don't know your rights .
Yes, it is the same over on notebook review and I will x post info on both threads. I agree everyone should still try chargeback or section 75 and it would be good if they post what happens. The big lesson here is that none of these third party sites including Amazon shop window offer you the protection that you think you have. Someone has suggested 4 Square for warranties but they are very expensive. I have emailed Clevo in Germany so will post their response when I get it. I've just copied your letter and will post to my bank today so thanks for your great advice. I'll let you know what my bank says...
Ooh Faugustin I hope you are right I have suggested on Notebook Review that folks come and have a read over here too. (just saw your sticky out tongue erk.......) Yes the posting delay for us newbies is a bit of a pain
Unfortunately there is a clause about Section 75 and third party payment systems. The 'Credit Lendor' quoted in your link would in fact be the credit card company. This is why I advise against using systems such as PayPal or Google Checkout, especially when buying expensive goods. All the more relevant since they are ebbing their way in to many many websites payment systems. Although I was not aware of PayPoint until now.
This is interesting, from citizens advice bureau (direct link to PDF)... I would recommend you do the same should your laptop have been returned for repair!
Regarding Kobalt, I've started a Twitter-hashtag #kobaltcomputers to collect information and share the grief
faugusztin, thanks for your post.... Chargeback... as I understand it (I may be wrong) this is effectively a means by which a bank can put pressure on the supplier to either deliver the goods or make them refund your money? As I understand it, 1. Can the bank 'force' a refunding transaction against the merchant? 2. It's not an insurance scheme... i.e. the selling merchant needs to have an active bank account with funds in it. If they have gone out of business, VISA won't be stumping up to cover the bill. You are scr*ewed as far as chargeback goes in those circumstances?
